Chute for sking and tobogganing



April 1956 J. A. BRUNEL CHUTE FOR SKIING OR TOBOGGANING F-i'led June 4. 1953 m w m m dlrcauas A-BRu/va United States Patent CHUTE FOR SKIING ANDTOBOGGANING Jacques A. Brunel, Beacon, N. Y. Application June 4, 1953, Serial No. 359,501

1 Claim. (Cl. 272-565) This invention relates to synthetic or artificial snow particularly adapted for use on artificial chutes or natural slopes for skiing or tobogganing during all seasons of the year. p

A principal object of the present invention is to produce an artificial snow for covering an artificial chute or natural slope which has properties similar to those of natural snow, permitting a skier to execute all movements that are possible on snow.

Another object of the invention is to produce an artificial snow adapted to provide a non-rigid, coherent and slippery or lubricous top surface for a natural or artificial slideway.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a slideway for skiing or tobogganing with a covering of artificial snow having a cotton base and an upper layor of plastic material.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide a synthetic snow which is homogeneous, easily packed down, and is inexpensive to produce.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference wil be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through the center of a chute for skiing and tobogganing embodying one form of my invention and showing a second chute in the background in elevation.

Fig. 2 is transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modification of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view thereof partly in section and parts being broken away.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing a further modified form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view thereof, parts being shown in section and parts being broken away.

In the first form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, an artificial slope, slide. or snow run 10 is illustrated including a substructure 11 supporting a solid inclined floor 12 having a smooth plane surface above the ground or supporting floor at any desired elevation. The substructure and floor 12 are preferably formed of wood and may be of any desired length and width, for example, approximately ninety by twenty-five feet, and is provided with side walls 12.

The floor is covered through its length and within the confines of side walls 12 with artificial snow 13 made in accordance with the present invention. This snow is composed of a base 14 of cotton material, such as cotton dust or raw cotton, or of wool, and a top layer 15 of plastic material, plastic shavings, scrap or celluloid flakes, mica or fiberglass. The layer provides a sliding or riding surface over the base. For a slope or slide as shown in Fig. l for skiing or tobogganing, the base 14 would be approximately six to eight inches thick, and the layer approximately two inches thick. The base 14 may be secured to the floor by a suitable adhesive as indicated at 16. The side walls 12 are preferably higher than the top surface of the artificial snow 13 to guide the skiers.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 3 r

and 4, the floor 12 insteadof being smooth has beams 17 secured across its upper surface, with the beams slanting upwardly. The beams extend into the base 14 and form interlocks thereby preventing displacement on the base of the floor. The floor in addition may be surfaced with adhesive to further bind the base on the floor.

In all other respects the form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4 are similar to the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts, with a prime added.

Figs 5 and 6 illustrate further modified means for holding the base14" on the floor 12" against displacement. In this form of the invention pins 18 are secured in socketed openings 19 in the floor and project outwardly and above the surface of the floor penetrating the base 14". The pins may be spaced along and transversely of the floor as desired and serve as stops to prevent the base from sliding on the floor.

In all other respects the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is similar to the form of Figs. 1 and 2, and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts with double prime added.

It will be understood that instead of providing a substructure asshown in Fig. 1, the floor might be mounted on the slope of a hilly ground. The plastic layer may also be used Without the snow base whenever practicable.

It will be seen that I have produced an inclined structure adapted to amusement purposes to be used as a ski slide or snow run for tobogganing.

It is to be understood that the sides of the snow run 10 may be provided with protective netting, such as fish netting, cord netting, etc., especially at turns and on steep portions of the slope.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming Within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent A chute for skiing and tobogganing comprising a substructure, an inclined floor supported on top of said substructure, a covering of raw cotton secured to the top surface of said floor, a layer of plastic material on said cotton covering, and integral transverse beams at spaced intervals on the floor slanting upwardly and interlocking with said cotton to prevent downward displacement thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,254,482 Heller Sept. 2, 194i 2,482,637 Podvinecz et a1 Sept. 20, 1949 2,555,078 Gaylor May 29, 1951 2,558,759 Johnson July 3, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 508,128 Great Britain June 27, 1939 

